Virgin Media Ltd v NTL Pension Trustees II Ltd & Ors [2023] EWHC 1441 (Ch) (16 June 2023)

Virgin Media Ltd v NTL Pension Trustees II Ltd & Ors [2023] EWHC 1441 (Ch) (16 June 2023)

Section 37 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 renders void any amendment to the rules of a contracted-out scheme relating to section 9(2B) rights if made without the actuarial confirmation required by Regulation 42(2)(b); 'section 9(2B) rights' includes both past and future service rights; voidness applies to all alterations, not only adverse ones.

Citation
[2023] EWHC 1441 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant: Virgin Media Limited; First Defendant: NTL Pension Trustees II Limited; Second Defendant: Ross Russell Limited; Third Defendant: John Jardine
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
16 June 2023
Procedural Posture
Interpretation of Pension Scheme Amendments Under CPR Part 64 / Judgment After Hearing
Outcome
Declaration granted; amendments made without actuarial confirmation are void.
Legal Topics
Contracting Out of Pension Schemes, Statutory Standard for Pension Schemes, Actuarial Confirmation Requirements, Voidness of Scheme Amendments
Pensions Trusts Statutory Interpretation Contracting Out of Pension Schemes Statutory Standard for Pension Schemes Actuarial Confirmation Requirements Voidness of Scheme Amendments

Case Brief

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Parties

Virgin Media Limited

Claimant

NTL Pension Trustees II Limited

First Defendant

Ross Russell Limited

Second Defendant

John Jardine

Third Defendant

Procedural Posture

Interpretation of Pension Scheme Amendments Under CPR Part 64 / Judgment After Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether s. 37 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 renders amendments void if made without actuarial confirmation under Regulation 42
  2. 2 Whether 'section 9(2B) rights' includes both past and future service rights
  3. 3 Whether voidness applies only to adverse alterations or to all alterations

Ratio Decidendi

Section 37 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 renders void any amendment to the rules of a contracted-out scheme relating to section 9(2B) rights if made without the actuarial confirmation required by Regulation 42(2)(b); 'section 9(2B) rights' includes both past and future service rights; voidness applies to all alterations, not only adverse ones.

Court Disposition

Declaration granted; amendments made without actuarial confirmation are void.

Orders

  • Trustees to administer the Plan in accordance with the judgment.
  • Further factual enquiries may be made regarding whether actuarial confirmation was provided in relation to the 1999 Deed & Rules.